Look at those two. She wants the Ethiopian beans but he is trying to persuade her to go with Columbian. Guess who wins? Every time?!

Chocolate Macaron, Macchiato, and books. Doesn’t get much better than that.

I had someone ask how we managed to have a food excursion with three kids. Great question. One I asked myself plenty of times prior to this trip.

We fed them lots of cookies!

Seriously though this has been a topic that has been bathed in much discussion. Gabe and I think it is so important to bring our children into our passions and to share with them the things that bring us great joy. Going out for multi-coursed meals that extend into the night beyond bedtime seems nearly impossible during this stage in our lives (at least if I want to stay sane).

Tasting coffee seemed the perfect solution. Each stop is brief and most likely has a treat waiting for them. I don’t mean to say that we bribed our children but it’s more that I want them to have pleasant memories associated with these trips. I don’t want them to just remember that mom and dad were frantically trying to keep the noise level down and constantly shushing them. Although that did happen.

Gabe and I were also pretty realistic in our expectations. In the span of three days we made three stops. This was also a way to keep the over-caffeinated jitters at bay. We were at each location for about 30 minutes and brought plenty of distractions (i.e. books, stickers, lego men, and pacifiers).

When children entered our lives we had many conversations about not not giving up on the things we love just because we had little munchkins running amok. We wanted to include them and expose them to new tastes, new artists and new sites by bringing them out to dinner, going to museums, traveling, etc.

My 23 year old, childless mind could not have possibly been able to understand what life is like three kids 4 and under and just how hard it is to make our dream a reality. But I figure the more we expose them to these sorts of situations the better they will begin to understand and adapt to proper coffee shop behavior – whatever that means. I also maintain realistic expectations of what our kids can handle at the ages they are at. We balanced our coffee tasting time with plenty of opportunities for sword fights with their buddies. Everybody wins!

I totally agree with what you are doing! My kids are 20, 18, and 15 and when they were 5, 3, and <1, I dragged them wherever I went too, sometimes with hubby, sometimes without. Those are memories I will love always.

Portland is the greatest – one of my favorite food cities. 🙂
I love that you and your husband are committed to keeping your interests your interests even with three little ones. And, oh my heavens…what a gorgeous baby you have!

You have such a beautiful family! I live just outside of Portland and havent tried any of these coffee shops yet. I know what we will be doing this weekend. Was just sitting here reading Sunset and saw you. Very Cool.

Wonderful to hear. My sweetie and I lead very busy lives. I am to the point where I want to have children but I am in love with my personal freedom. I see some people so strapped, choked by their children and then I come across others who make life happen. They include kids in their daily activities and the kids adapt the best they can. This is inspiration, you are inspiration. I am sure our kids will be skiing by the time they can stand and balancing on a bike as soon as they can walk (if they want to). I have enjoyed this brief look into the life that you lead with your lovely children.

Great post and wonderful pics. That last picture is my favorite, but I do look pretty haggard and tired. I guess that’s a part of toting three kids around too. I love that you took amazing photos to remember our trip, and I do have to admit, the other day I took Ivy to Honore Bakery “to get coffee” but really I just wanted to show her off. – proud daddy

This story serves as an inspiration for many to follow. It is sad to think of family and children as a way to stop living and enjoying life because children and family are fun. I want my life to be like yours when i become a dad and i would like my wife to come on board. Even though having children is a responsibility, it is also an adventure and i think you are making the best of it. One of the best things to raise kids is to engage them in some adventure and to make them part of who we are and that is exactly what you are doing!

It’s so good that you do that with your children. I too have 3 little ones although they are still QUITE little (3.5, 2 and 7 mos) but we try and expose them to as much “life” and the things that we love as possible. And being an avid cook, it warms my heart that my almost 4 year old loves to help and talks to me about olive oil and powdered sugar! : )

Love the photos! And the philosophy. Most of all, I love that you chose the coffee shop right around the corner from my house! For all I know, i walked right by you . . . although I’m quite sure your baby would have caught my eye, wow.

I really think that last picture is the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long, long time. I love that you still have food adventures, even with the kids in tow. As I currently AM the 23-year-old version of myself without kids, I would like to make things (like your delicious coffee tour) happen with the booger-nosed in tow.

I’m sorry – how did I miss that you had THREE four and under…??? {insert very deep bow here}
You need to bring them to the farm this summer – farm being a bit of an exaggeration… However, the sheep will still be relatively small, as will the chicks. They can play with my boys, run around, roast marshmallows – you know – farm things. And we can drink wine, or sun tea, or lemonade. And I can hold that girl-child – something I never seemed able to make myself!
xx

Very beautiful pictures. You have a lovely family! I have seen the extreme parents who stop their life and not even have a date night for years for the sake of children and that is the reason I said no to children when I got married. But now, I am seeing more people (mostly younger parents) like you that make it seem easier and doable! Hats off to you for making your stops with three munchkins!

Ashely, will do. If Ivy is with you the pastries will not stand a chance. I remember when you were pregnant and suffering from morning sickness while teaching a cooking class at Julie’s. I can’t believe how much time has passed. She is stunning. Her hair is to die for.

I’ve been volunteering at the Pantry with Brandi, so I’m sure we’ll run into each other again. Brandi said you’ll be teaching at The Pantry once it’s open. Sweet.

You are so right on continuing to offer up your children the opportunity to experience new tastes and sites. Whenever we go out to eat, I allow my daughter to tell the server what she plans to order on her own (even if the server looks at me). It gives her autonomy and the chance to make her own decisions. To me, that’s important. Thanks for sharing.

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